Poems For Elementary Students (Grades 3-6)

Published: October 2017

Poems To Use With Students In Grades 3-6

Using poetry is a great way to convey important messages to children in an engaging way. Many poems in this collection can read like fables, giving children a lesson to think about at the end. These poems are great to use with elementary students to teach skills such as critical thinking, communication, and fluency. They also feature poetry techniques such as rhyming schemes and descriptive language. In addition to educational benefits, poetry also encourages creativity and self-expression. Some of these poems have been written by famous poets such as Robert Louis Stevenson, Edgar Guest, and A.A. Milne. This collection includes fun forms such as concrete poems, ABC poems, and limericks that are perfect for elementary students. 

42 Poems To Use With Students In Grades 3-6

  1. The Mountain And The Squirrel

    Famous Poem

    Ralph Waldo Emerson was a licensed minister who resigned from the clergy when his first wife passed away a couple years into their marriage. In this poem, a squirrel and a mountain have a quarrel because the mountain feels as though it is more important. Each person has his or her own individual talents, and everyone/everything has its purpose in this world, none greater or less than another.

    in Famous Children Poems

    The mountain and the squirrel
    Had a quarrel,
    And the former called the latter
    "Little prig."

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    I read this poem in 1965 when I carried a paperback book of poems in my backpack when an infantry soldier in Vietnam. We, the infantry group in which I served, were such a collection of...

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  2. Being Brave At Night

    Famous Poem

    During the day children are busy and don't have time to waste worrying about silly monsters, but children lying in bed at night waiting to fall asleep have lots of time to worry about invading giants, ghosts or elephants. To a child's mind, sticking close to an all powerful parent is actually a really sensible survival strategy.
    Being Brave At Night is published in the book Rhymes Of Childhood (1924), a collection of poems by Edgar A. Guest about home, childhood and family.

    in Famous Children Poems

    The other night 'bout two o'clock, or maybe it was three,
    An elephant with shining tusks came chasing after me.
    His trunk was wavin' in the air an' spoutin' jets of steam
    An' he was out to eat me up, but still I didn't scream

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    This is truly a great poem describing the vivid imagination of children, and it does seem that children have an even deeper imagination when it comes to bedtime! I think this is a great poem...

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  4. Messy Room

    Famous Poem

    Shel Silverstein had a broad creative skill set that led him to be a well-known poet and children's author during the mid to late 1900s. He drew cartoons for magazines and became a song composer before focusing a lot of attention on writing many humorous poems. In this poem, the narrator is appalled by the mess in a room, and he finds the room to be all too familiar.

    in Famous Funny Poems

    Whosever room this is should be ashamed!
    His underwear is hanging on the lamp.
    His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair,
    And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp.

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  5. Life Doesn't Frighten Me

    Famous Poem

    Maya Angelou, an inspirational American poet, crafted a poem from a child’s perspective about all the frightening things in her world. Although this poem showcases many things that frighten a child, the greater theme in this poem is that no matter the obstacles we face in life, we can overcome them. The repetition of “life doesn’t frighten me at all” reinforces that theme.

    in Famous Children Poems

    Shadows on the wall
    Noises down the hall
    Life doesn't frighten me at all

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    Featured Shared Story

    I think this is a really good poem because it teaches kids not to give up and hide in the shadows and actually express themselves.

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  7. The Moon

    Famous Poem

    This poem makes the moon seem like a living thing, and Robert Louis Stevenson shares all that it does while shining each night. It acts as a protector of the night, watching over people, animals, and places.

    in Famous Children Poems

    The moon has a face like the clock in the hall;
    She shines on thieves on the garden wall,
    On streets and fields and harbour quays,
    And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.

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    Really nice. There's not a much more spectacular site than a full moon, especially on a snow covered landscape.

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  8. The Spider And The Fly

    Famous Poem

    "The Spider and the Fly" is a poem by Mary Howitt (1799-1888), published in 1828. The story tells of a cunning Spider who ensnares a Fly through the use of seduction and flattery. The poem teaches children to be wary against those who use flattery and charm to disguise their true evil intentions. The gruesome ending in this cautionary tale is used to reinforce the important life lesson being taught.

    in Famous Children Poems

    "Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly;
    "'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you may spy.
    The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
    And I have many curious things to show when you are there."

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    Featured Shared Story

    This is a beautiful poem, very beautiful! It can as well be a warning to school girls who are prone to dating those men out there. Symbolically, the spider in the poem is a male and the fly...

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  9. God The Artist

    Famous Poem

    Angela Morgan was an American writer who formed a musical quartet with her three sisters, and her brother was their manager. This was one way she earned a living. In this poem, the narrator reflects on the marvels of God. How did He come up with all the ideas and intricacies we see in nature?

    in Famous Nature Poems

    God, when you thought of a pine tree,
    How did you think of a star?
    How did you dream of the Milky Way
    To guide us from afar.

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    God The Artist By Angela Morgan

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  10. Teddy Bear

    Famous Poem

    "Teddy Bear" was first published in When We Were Very Young, a book of poetry by A. A. Milne.
    The teddy bear in this poem would later become the famous Winnie-the-Pooh from A. A. Milne's famous book series.

    in Famous Children Poems

    A bear, however hard he tries,
    Grows tubby without exercise.
    Our Teddy Bear is short and fat,
    Which is not to be wondered at;

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    Featured Shared Story

    When I was 3 or 4, I recited this poem to the Bayridge Business and Professional Women's bridge club. My aunt and godmother, Margaret Desmond, was hosting them at my grandparents' house in...

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  11. Puppy And I

    Famous Poem

    Looking for the perfect friend always ready to play? A puppy is the perfect playmate always ready to have fun!
    This poem by A.A. Milne, author of Winnie-the-Pooh, praises the qualities of the playful puppy.

    in Famous Children Poems

    I met a Man as I went walking:
    We got talking,
    Man and I.
    "Where are you going to, Man?" I said

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  12. From A Railway Carriage

    Famous Poem

    Published in the 1885 A Child’s Garden of Verses, this poem mimics the steady movement of a train through the use of rhythm and rhymes. It engages the senses through sights and sounds and will entice children with its excitement and energy.

    in Famous Children Poems

    Faster than fairies, faster than witches,
    Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
    And charging along like troops in a battle
    All through the meadows the horses and cattle:

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  13. Story Telling

    Famous Poem

    Children love to be told bedtime stories. The more the storyteller acts out, the more captivating the tale. This is an enjoyable poem about a father telling his children stories before bed. While the mother doesn’t fully understand why he makes such a scene, the children can’t get enough of their father’s made-up stories.

    in Famous Children Poems

    Most every night when they're in bed,
    And both their little prayers have said,
    They shout for me to come upstairs
    And tell them tales of gypsies bold,

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    Grandpa sat with cigar at his side (rarely in his mouth), his bushy gray eyebrows and mustache crouched in intense concentration, a chess piece or book in hand in most of my memories. But...

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  14. The Good Little Boy

    Famous Poem

    In this charming poem by Edgar Guest (1881-1959), the speaker shares about a young boy who never did anything wrong. Edgar Guest had a way of writing uplifting poems, and he wrote prolifically, publishing one poem a day for 30 years. The dialect in this poem contributes to its laid-back nature.

    in Famous Children Poems

    Once there was a boy who never
    Tore his clothes, or hardly ever,
    Never made his sister mad,
    Never whipped fer bein' bad,

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  15. Theme In Yellow

    Famous Poem

    Carl Sandburg was an American poet who lived from 1878-1967. This poem captures the beauty and fun of fall from the perspective of a pumpkin. Halloween can be a spooky holiday, but this poem brings attention to the harmless activity of searching for the right pumpkin with children and then carving a funny face on it for Halloween night.

    in Famous Children Poems

    I spot the hills
    With yellow balls in autumn.
    I light the prairie cornfields
    Orange and tawny gold clusters

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  16. The Littlest Christmas Tree

    • By Amy Peterson
    • Published by Family Friend Poems April 2009 with permission of the Author.

    Hello everyone. I was raised in Wisconsin among many cold winters and driven to writing by two great, wonderful parents whose imagination left all of their children wide-eyed with excitement during the holidays. I was told by my father that the pines talk when the wind blows....and if you listen...you can hear them. I hope this story will leave your family with an adventure into the woods to hear the pines talking.

    in Christmas Poems

    The littlest Christmas tree
    lived in a meadow of green
    among a family
    of tall evergreens.

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    Featured Shared Story

    This poem touched my heart and the story of your beautiful parents behind it... I have only come across it searching online. I will most certainly be reading up on all your other inspiring...

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  17. Message From Nature

    • By Kshma Lal
    • Published by Family Friend Poems August 2020 with permission of the Author.

    I am a finance professional. I used to write poems/stories in school and started writing poems again about a year back when I couldn't find anything suitable for my son to recite at his school. This is one of the recent poems I've written about some learnings from nature ... in simple language for 6-7-year-olds to understand and recite.

    in Inspiring Poems for Kids

    The mountains tell me, hold your head high.
    Whatever be the problem, look it in the eye.

    The rivers tell me, don't look behind.

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  18. The Dolly

    • By Jeanette Cheal
    • Published by Family Friend Poems May 2017 with permission of the Author.

    I love writing poetry for children. I love to see their faces light up when I read my poetry to them. The dolly I wrote about had a great response from both young and old. My father read it before anyone, and he sat and cried. He thought it was lovely.

    in Inspiring Poems for Kids

    The dolly sat upon the shelf
    in the toy maker's shop all by herself.
    The dolly only had one eye,
    so all the children passed her by.

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    Featured Shared Story

    Wow what a beautiful poem with an even greater message! Representation matters! Our differences make us unique!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (3)

  19. I Will Soar

    If kids are encouraged to believe in themselves, they will have confidence to make it. I believe they should be taught respect for others and oneself, honesty, kindness, tolerance, and manners to flourish. Be true to yourself, spread happiness, and live generously. Soar! My poem uses symbolism.

    in Inspiring Poems for Kids

    If I were a birdie,
    I'd head up to the sky.
    I'd spread my wings like sunshine.
    I know I could fly mighty high!

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    Featured Shared Story

    I love this poem! Very inspiring message! We all can do whatever we set our minds to.

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  20. Always Love Your Pet, No Matter How Old They Get

    • By Lesley M. Patterson
    • Published by Family Friend Poems August 2018 with permission of the Author.

    I wrote this poem because animals are very special to me. I am an animal advocate. Our family has 4 of our own little fur-babies. my dog (Kali) and 3 cats (The Haunt, Schiz, and Dudette). All of our pets are older (from 5-14 years old) All but the two brother kitties were rescued animals. I have a deep love for my animals, and I wanted to write this poem especially for children because they need to be taught to always be loving and kind to their pets, no matter how old they get.

    in Animal Poems for Kids

    Pets are people, too, just like me and you.
    They need food in their tummies and lots of beefy yummies.

    They are little, but their hearts are BIG.

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    Featured Shared Story

    This poem delivers a right message about the relationship between man and nature. These pets teach us love, compassion, and empathy without expectation. But one bitter reality l must admit...

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  21. Summer Camp Souvenirs

    • By Richard Thomas
    • Published by Family Friend Poems June 2019 with permission of the Author.

    An exaggerated description of the perils of attending summer camp as a boy. I wrote this over forty years ago for my students. After all the years, it remains my personal favorite.

    in Funny Poems for Kids

    When I got home from camp today,
    My parents almost died.
    They asked me how I got this way,
    And here's what I replied:

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    Featured Shared Story

    It is really a beautiful poem which blends childhood imagination, narration, and joyful experiences. "It is some terrific summer camp, The coolest one around."

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  22. The Blade And The Ax

    I wrote this for leisure. It's a bit of an allegory. If children can find it amusing and derive one or two lessons from it, that will make it more worthwhile. Thanks and hope you enjoy reading.

    in Inspiring Poems for Kids

    On a bench, in Joe's little shed,
    lying not too far apart,
    were his ax and his switchblade,
    having a quiet heart-to-heart.

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    Featured Shared Story

    The conversation between a blade and an ax is interesting, and it teaches a lesson. Nobody should be proud because of one's usefulness; everybody is needed but in a different way!

    Touched by the poem? Share your story! (2)

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